Frederik and Mary's Official Visit to Australia; February 27th-March 11th, 2005

[EmmieLou]

How much does Mary get a year, or is the 3.3 million for both of them?

I really hate it when people say Mary is the new Diana, she is not. Nobody will ever be like Princess Diana.

Yes Mary is beautiful, a princess and doing a wonderful job, but Diana was ina different league.

Mary is a woman, and has herself pulled together, Diana was just a young woman when she became a princess and the World watched her bloom.

Diana was a Worldwide phenomenom, Mary is not that well known to people who do not follow the Royals or live in Denmark or Australia.

[Danielle]

Originally Posted by Alisa

The dress is by Heartmade by Julie Fagerholt, as is the capelet she wore the previous night.

Thank you Alisa.

[Alisa]

Thanks for the articles Dennism. I really like this one:


"Daily Telegraph

Common touch won our hearts"

[Alisa]

Originally Posted by Danielle

Thank you Alisa.

You're welcome.:)

[Alisa]

I don't think they have been posted here before.

Speech to the Premier of New South Wales, Australia
Issued Monday February 28, 2005

Your Excellency

Ladies and Gentlemen

Mr Premier, thank you for your warm words of welcome. It is difficult to think of a better place to start our official visit to Australia than here, with this magnificent view over one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

I’m always spellbound by the beauty of your city and natural harbour and I’m sure that feeling that will never be lost, no matter how many times we visit.

Since arriving in Sydney I’ve spent most of my time on the water. However, yesterday on the water was something very special. The Crown Princess and I were very touched by the warmth, support and enthusiasm received from the crowds spectating from boats, ferries, coves, homes and in front of the magnificient Opera House. And although the win went to my wife and the crew of the Belle Property boat, it was truly an enjoyable day of good, tough racing.

And I’m sure the spectacular images of the harbour from yesterday will make their way to Denmark and will see even more Danes planning a trip ’downunder’ to experience the beauty for themselves.

Mr. Premier I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your staff for putting together an impressive and exciting program for the coming 7 days here.

Our visit to Australia is one that the Crown Princess and I have looked very much forward to. Our visit will also take us to Canberra, Melbourne and Tasmania.

Already we have been very touched and perhaps a little suprised by the incredibly warm reception we have received by Sydneysiders.

Your Excellency, Premier of New South Wales and Mrs Carr

Ladies and Gentlemen

I ask you to raise your glasses in a toast to her Majesty the Queen of Australia.

To the Queen.

[Alisa]

Speech to the Governor of New South Wales, Australia</B>

Issued Thursday March 3, 2005

Your Excellency Governor Marie Bashir and Sir Nicholas Shehadie,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Your Excellency, thank you. Thank you for hosting this wonderful evening and thank you for your warm words of welcome.

The crown princess and I have looked very much forward to our time in Australia. A time that in many ways is remarkably different from our previous trips to Australia. And the difference lies primarily in the fact that today we visit Australia as the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Denmark. Despite, a more official air to this visit I can say that the warmth and hospitality that we have already experienced is what we have encountered in each and every one of our previous visits. These are just two things that any visitor to Australia can be assured to meet.

Sydney is often described as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. And the wonder that I felt the first time I was in Sydney is just as strong this time. The Sydney Opera house with its magnificent white sails, as a symbol of a nation and as world icon also, represents 'yet another' story linking Denmark and Australia. And although there was some drama in the building of this magnificent house to opera, it is with continued pride and enthusiasm that we (Denmark?) have seen the opening of the 'Utzon Room' that houses a spectacular 14 meter tapestry designed by the genius himself. And follow the vision of completing the Sydney Opera House with planning under the direct guidance of master architect Jørn Utzon.

In Denmark the interest in Australia is bigger than ever. Last year we saw an increase of 70 percent in the number of Danes visiting Australia - despite a traveling distance of 17,000 kilometers. And many Danes have chosen Australia as their home. And even though those Danes may miss certain things from their lives in Denmark, Australia is their home. It is the same for the Crown Princess - Australia will always have a place in her heart (as it has in mine) and Denmark is her cherished home.

'At rejse er at leve'. To travel is to live. These are the words of Hans Christian Andersen and although an intrepid traveller of his time, the world's first great fantasy story-teller never made it as far as the beautiful shores of Australia. But his legacy, his fairytales certainly have. As part of the celebrations of Hans Christian Andersen's 200th anniversary, I will have the pleasure of appointing four Australians as Hans Christian Andersen Ambassadors on the 7th of March. The Crown Princess and I will later the same day unveil a bust of the story-teller which will stand proudly on observatory hill.

Denmark has recently opened the acoustically brilliant and architecturally significant Opera House in Denmark's capital, Copenhagen. We look forward with enthusiasm to see the Australian Ballet perform in these world class facilities later this year as part of the Hans Christian Andersen celebrations in the country of his origin.

Madame Governor and Sir Nicholas Shehadie

Your Excellencies

Ladies and Gentlemen

I ask you to raise your glasses in a toast to the Queen of Australia.

To Her Majesty the Queen of Australia

[Alisa]

Appointment of H. C. Andersen Ambassadors in Sydney, Australia</B>

Issued Monday March 7, 2005

Hans Christian Andersen was an extraordinary storyteller. The celebration of his 200th birthday is also a worldwide triubute to the imagination and the magic of storytelling. Therefore we have asked a group of international icons, who are all storytellers in their own right, to join the celebration of his life and work as Hans Christian Andersen Ambassadors. In December 2003, I appointed Australia’s famous athlete Cathy Freeman as Hans Christian Andersen Ambassador, and I am proud that five distinguished Australians and one New Zealander will join her today.

The Ambassadors will raise awareness about the life and works of Hans Christian Andersen in their home country. They will also draw attention to the promotion of literacy, which is the important humanitarian message of this celebration.

The first Australian Hans Christian Andersen Ambassador to be appointed today is considered Australia's most popular children's author. Her first book Possum Magic is the best-selling children's picture book ever in Australia. She is also known as a passionate advocate of literacy and learning. She has said herself that writing is her second love – her first love is teaching.

Mem Fox, please approach.

The next Ambassador is one of Australia's most successful TV and radio stars. In his television show “Enough Rope” he demonstrates that people do not have to be famous to be great storytellers. In his sharp and humorous way he explores the unusual jobs, the unsung achievements and the everyday challenges of ordinary people.

Andrew Denton, please approach

Our third Hans Christian Andersen Ambassador admits to having been a storyteller his whole life, but it was not until the age of 55 he decided to become a full-time writer. And the rest is best-selling history. Through his novels and his motivational speeches he helps us to believe in the value and power of each individual – just like Andersen did.

Bryce Courtenay, please approach.

The fourth Australian Hans Christian Andersen Ambassador appointed today has made the transition from highly-respected stage actor in his native land to sought-after international movie star. This Oscar-winning actor is a storytelling chameleon. He has the ability to portray everyone from a pianist and a pirate to a pelican with humour and complexity.

Geoffrey Rush, please approach.

The fifth Ambassador is truly a storyteller through her song. Since her debut in The Marriage of Figaro in 1971, she has been in the front rank of international opera, and has become one of the most famous sopranos of this century. Besides her classical repertoire, she likes to present songs from her childhood, which evoke the magic and mystery of her homeland New Zealand.

Unfortunately, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa could not be with us today, but she has sent us this message. (Videobånd afspilles).

Right here in Sydney is where, what has been often referred to as a fairytale so, in keeping with the spirit of today… is where our fairytale began. And the fairytale analogies don't stop there…the Crown Princess's has often been asked if she was subjected to the pea test as told in Han Christian Andersen's fairytale 'The princess and the pea'. Literally speaking (and I've spoken with my mother in this regard) there has been no pea, but if there was a pea it certainly wasn't big enough to prevent the Crown Princess from meeting and succeeding in the challenges she has faced in our journey together.

The Crown Princess not only has a passion for reading but also shares in the joy of writing. Together with her obvious interest in Hans Christen Andersen and her believe that literacy gives hope, I have no doubt that her contribution will be meaningful.

When the Crown Princess first came to Denmark, she knew three Danes: Andersen, Utzon and myself. So it seems only natural that today, here in the Utzon room I have the great pleasure of appointing Crown Princess Mary as Honorary Hans Christian Andersen Ambassador to Australia.

(Crown Princess) Mary, please approach.

[Alisa]

Speech to the Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia</B>

Issued Tuesday March 8, 2005

Your Excellency Governor General and Mrs. Jeffery,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Crown Princess and myself I would like to express our sincere gratitude for your warm words of welcome. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you and Mrs Jeffery's for taking the long trip to Denmark to be a part of our wedding celebrations and for hosting a wonderful Australian dinner in our honour.

The Crown Princess and I have looked especially forward to this, our first trip to Australia as husband and wife. And…I must say we are not disappointed. The warmth and hospitality we have been met with has been exceptional. The events and arrangements we have attended have not only been beneficial to the causes they support but, they have been meticulously arranged, full of interesting people and a lot of fun.

Denmark and Australia are geographically almost as far apart as one can come. However here in the middle of our visit I'm again reminded of the many similarities between the Danes and the Australians - that wonderful dry sense of humour, zest for life and strong value set. Perhaps that is why my wife feels very much a home in Denmark.

Our tour has been organized with energy, professionalism and proactiveness. Three characteristics that can be attributed to Australians all over the world. A recent example of this was at the mere mention of my wife and I 'entertaining' the idea of owning a piece of Australia, we received pretty much the very next day real estate listings for Australian properties.

Danes have always been fond of traveling and many of those Danes that made their way to Australia also chose to make Australia their home. The latest Australian census shows that more than 10,000 persons of Danish origin live in Australia. And although Denmark is just as wondrous, it is not hard to understand such a decision.

One traveling Dane whom we have all heard a lot about in recent times is more renowned for his genius in storytelling than traveling. He gave words to toys and animals which children could easily identify with. He gave voice through his characters to groups which had traditionally been voiceless or oppressed. By children his works are amongst the most widely read in the world, but his work is as much for adults as it is for children. 2005 is the 200th anniversary of Hans Christian Andersen and his life and work is being celebrated all around the world.

In Australia the celebrations are many and varied. And one is a Hans Christian Andersen exhibition that will open shortly here in Canberra, at the National Museum of Australia. In July another form of storytelling, aboriginal storytelling, will be exhibited in The National Museum. Storytelling is a very important part of the Aboriginal culture. Stories were used to pass on the knowledge and understandings that the aborigines needed to know in order to survive in this country, long ago. Today we consider the writings of Hans Christen Andersen to contain universal truths about human nature and psychology ‑ important to every one of us. If one was to make comparison, one could say that Hans Christian Andersen, like the Aboriginals had the skill to deliver life important messages through his storytelling.

Mr. Governor General and Mrs. Jeffery

Your Excellencies

Ladies and Gentlemen

I ask you to raise your glasses in a toast to the Queen of Australia.

To Her Majesty the Queen of Australia.

[Alisa]

Speech to the Governor of Tasmania, Australia</B>

Issued Thursday March 10, 2005

Your Excellency Governor William Cox and Mrs. Cox,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Your Excellency, thank you. Thank you for hosting this special evening and for your warm words of welcome. The Crown Princess and I have awaited this tour with much anticipation and excitement. And to bring not only the official part of our tour to an end but to also enjoy some relaxing time, I cannot think of a better place than Tasmania. For obvious personal reasons, Tasmania has a special place in our hearts but, there are other obvious reasons and one is the natural beauty that Tasmania boasts.

In Denmark, as in Tasmania our weather is often the subject of many snide remarks. However, we also share in the belief that when the sky is that special blue and the sun shines high and strong that there is no other place in the world one would rather be. So, here's hoping for confirmation of the latter and a silence on the snide remarks ‑ at least for the next week and a half.

The very first Dane to come to Tasmania was Jorgen Jorgensen, a well educated explorer who was a gifted documenter of facts. He was born in Denmark in 1780 and died in Hobart in 1841 where he was buried at St. Mary's Church graveyard. During the Napoleon wars in Europe he traveled to Iceland and after a short time declared himself King of Iceland. 2 months later he was removed from the throne by the British Army. Later he became a British spy and in this role he observed the Battle of Waterloo. (Quite impressive so far…) However, he fell to the temptation of alcohol and gambling and in 1826 he was sent as a convict to Australia. Shortly after his arrival, however, he became a constable and had more contact with the Aboriginals in Tasmania than any other colonist at the time. Jorgen Jorgensen ended up as writer here in Hobart and wrote among other books "A Shred of Autobiography". Actually a documentary about him was recently broadcasted by ABC Lateline describing Jorgensen as one of Australia's more colourful colonial characters - he was referred to as the Convict King.

Another colourful character in Danish history is someone you probably have heard about… Born in to an impoverished home, he fought his way to huge literary success. His own rags to riches story is the essence of fairytales. 2005 marks the 200th anniversary of the life and work of Hans Christian Andersen - a genius whose fairytales were widely inspired by his own life and the characters he met along the way.

"Every character is taken from life; every one of them; not one of them is invented. I know and have known them all:" Wrote Andersen in a letter in 1834.

As part of the celebrations we will have the opportunity to get to know a little more about the character Andersen - a person that traveled always with a long rope and always left a note by his bed saying the he was not dead, only sleeping. A complex, somewhat misunderstood character…yes, but a much loved character. Tomorrow the Crown Princess and I will have the pleasure of opening a Hans Christian Andersen exhibition at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.

Here he will compete for attention against an illusive character - the Tasmanian tiger. An animal that has recently has been officially classified as extinct. Which along with that goes my chance at Ted Turner's 1 million US dollars…

It has also been delightful to see the number of Tasmania products that have fought their way into the Danish market. I have been told that the Danes drink the most Tasmanian wine per capita outside of Australia - and the reason for that is obvious, the wine is outstanding. And we've given you the delights of Danish butter.

The Crown Princess and I are looking so much forward to the events of tomorrow and our remaining time in Tasmania.

Your Excellency Governor William Cox and Mrs. Cox,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I ask you to raise your glasses in a toast to the Queen of Australia.

To Her Majesty the Queen of Australia

[pdas1201]

Pics from press conference in Hobart, Tasmania.

[pdas1201]

Set 2 from the press conference

[pdas1201]

Pics from the State Reception at Wrest Point

Now I see a couple in love ::

[pdas1201]

Set 2 from state reception at Wrest Point

[pdas1201]

Pics from the Chocolate Lover's Ball

[pdas1201]

Pics from the Ruins in Hobart, Tasmania

[pdas1201]

Set 2 from the Ruins in Hobart, Tasmania

[Dennism]

Originally Posted by Alisa

Thanks for the articles Dennism. I really like this one:


"Daily Telegraph

Common touch won our hearts"

You´re welcome.

[agisele]

Originally Posted by EmmieLou

How much does Mary get a year, or is the 3.3 million for both of them?

I really hate it when people say Mary is the new Diana, she is not. Nobody will ever be like Princess Diana.

Yes Mary is beautiful, a princess and doing a wonderful job, but Diana was ina different league.

Mary is a woman, and has herself pulled together, Diana was just a young woman when she became a princess and the World watched her bloom.

Diana was a Worldwide phenomenom, Mary is not that well known to people who do not follow the Royals or live in Denmark or Australia.

true. Mary is only well-known in Denmark and Australia, whilst Diana was a world phenomenon.

besides, Mary and Diana, though similar are two very different people, and have different qualities that attribute to their uniqueness.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by agisele

Many royals, Danish or not, are bound to have many skeletons in their closet. I highly doubt that this source is a reliable one, and yet would not be surprised if it were true.

Yes and no.

In the week before Mary and Frederik met at the Slip Inn during the Sydney Olympics she apparently went out with a Sydney Swans Australian Rules football player.

Nothing has been said about how many times they "went out" during this short period, and the player himself has declined to offer any information whatsoever.

As is usual, where only the bare facts are known, the media will just make up the rest to suit their own agenda.

The more interesting thing is that Mary had a long-term relationship (7 years) with a man in Melbourne. He has not said a word, apart from something to the effect that Mary is an amazing woman and he wishes her well.

If the loyalty and absolute discretion of one's friends and acquaintances can be used as a measure, then Mary is a very special person indeed.
.

[agisele]

agreed with warren.